Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The Far East,
Volume VIII

740.00116 PW/1–846: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of
State to the Chargé in the Soviet Union (Kennan)

secretus urgent

Washington, January 8,
1946—4 p.m.

36. Supreme Commander is constituting early in February an international
military tribunal in Tokyo to try major Jap war criminals charged with crimes against the peace.
Supreme Commander is appointing judges and associate prosecutors as
nominated by signatories of Jap
surrender instrument. Dept requested
such national nominations in identic notes to missions in Washington on
October 18, November 20 [21] and December
28.90
Final note requested nominations by January 5. China and New Zealand
have made nominations and UK, Australia, France, Neth and Canada have
indicated they expect to participate in the trial and will make their
nominations within a few days.

Please reiterate to FonOff this Govt’s
hope that Soviet Govt will participate in tribunal. You should further
state that the Supreme Commander’s urgent recommendation that the trial
of the major planners and directors of Jap war of aggression begin in early February has been
approved.

You should emphasize this Govt not only desires an early opening of trial
but expects to avoid protracted proceedings and that it is therefore
most important that the Soviet associate prosecutor should join the
prosecution agency as soon as possible.